What a busy November we have ahead of us. It starts out slow and picks up speed as we near Thanksgiving and get ready for Christmas and then the year is over. I like this time of year because it gives me that chance to truly count my blessings. A good community, a great country, a warm home, a rewarding job and most importantly, a loving family. Please remember to take time this November to count your blessings!

This month we talked with "Van" Van Buren, head of the Adel Partners Economic Development Committee. We also had a great conversation with Kevin Howe from Iowa Realty and got an update on the 19th Annual Adel Holiday Home Tour. There is fantastic news on the Stage project, a recipe from home, and great information from around town!

This month we discuss Economic Development with W.W. "Van" Van Buren. Van is head of the Economic Development committee for the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce.

He is also a Business Management Consultant who has helped many local business owners ask important questions and find the answers they need to create successful business plans.

There is no hard line definition of Economic Development, which leads to confusion and misconceptions. The closest definition broadly states "the definition of economic development should be those activities that cause a net gain of money flow into the community."

Many people believe this only relates to retail businesses downtown on the square. Others believe entrepreneurs are the only focus group Economic Development applies to. These are important elements; however they are only a small piece of the Economic Development puzzle. Van and the comittee believe it is important to encourage new businesses and retail shops, they also believe it is equally important to provide support for current businesses to remain sustainable and encourage growth.

Another common misconception is that the Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce is an element of city government, which it is not. The Adel Partners is a non-profit organization comprised of individuals, businesses and civic groups working together to promote the many opportunities and community interests Adel has to offer.

For example, the Economic Development committee has been keeping a business score card over the past 3+ years for Adel. In 2009, there have been 13 new businesses added to the Adel community. Since 2006, there has been a net gain of 26 businesses! It is important to note that these numbers include home based businesses throughout the Adel area. History shows us that many of these businesses will expand to become brick and mortar shops throughout the community at some point in the future.

Van also believes that Adel should work to pursue new businesses and organizations that would fit into the Adel community such as service sector companies as well as light industrial facilities. Not companies that are looking to move their businesses to Adel for a tax break, but rather those who are looking to open additional offices or branches to take advantage of our excellent labor pool, nice community, great work ethic and educational standards.

The Economic Development committee is getting a strong base in place that consists of the Vision, Mission Statement, and Goals outlined on the Chamber of Commerce website. This base is built through relationships with the city, the Greater Dallas County Development Alliance, regional development organizations and Adel Enterprises. This base is being funded with resources from various organizations such as the Papa John's Entrepreneur Center at Drake, Small Business Administration, Small Business Development Center, Farm Bureau's Renew Rural Iowa program and USDA, which has grants for non-agricultural purposes.

Several of these resources have been used in the past year. Programs have been offered in the past regarding management concepts and marketing information. These programs allow business owners to work on their businesses in a focused setting. There have been multiple business seminars as well as the Small Business Administration Day and Renew Rural Iowa project. The best known project has been the college classes offered by the Evening, Weekend, and Graduate Programs division of Simpson College.

These classes have previously been the topic of articles in DiscoverAdel. "The Economic Development Committee of Adel Partners Chamber of Commerce, sponsors business classes in conjunction with Simpson to assist the area businesses. Better educated and trained staff members help the local businesses, and their clients, as well the individuals attending. The Simpson 'outreach' program allows community members to attend here, at an affordable price, without traveling to the Indianola or West Des Moines campuses. Classes may be audited or taken for college credit."

While teaching a high school business camp, Business Horizons, at Simpson, Van was struck by an idea. The past few years have been rough on the economy for everyone. Colleges are looking for financing, and towns are looking for new educational opportunities. By bringing the classes to Adel, residents are able to take college level classes, either for credit or audit purposes without the added expenses of gas or full time enrollment.

The college was quick to encourage the idea. The new library convinced Simpson that our community was ready. Adel is the only on site community program. Without the quality facility, the college would not have considered the program.

The current Simpson College class is Management Concepts. To this point, all attendees of past classes have been adults. Van wants to encourage adults and high school students to enroll in upcoming classes. Prices are affordable and there are discounts available to Chamber members as well as companies with 2 or more employees that attend and take classes for credit. A discount is automatically included in the Audit price.

The Economic Development Committee is currently asking the community to partake in a survey to help express interest in upcoming classes.

Please express your interest in any of the following classes by emailing the Adel Chamber of Commerce Adel Partners at adel@netins.net- Small Business Management- Principals of Public Relations- Small Group Communication- HR Management- Business Law- Business Ethics- Practical Mathematics- Intro to Statistics

Van and his wife Dawn moved to Adel 4 years ago, moving from Dallas County, Texas to Dallas County, Iowa! Van grew up within the Adel community and kept in contact with friends and school mates over the years. Dawn wanted to move to Adel for the quality of life and quality of people found in the community.

As part of Van's retirement model to give back, he participated in Economic Development in Texas and felt it was natural to carry on his interests here.

Many people are considering purchasing a new home as the economy changes. This month we spoke with Kevin Howe of Iowa Realty to discuss buying and selling homes in the Adel area.

Kevin, his wife Lori, and children Michelle and Brandon are long time Adel residents. Kevin started his Realtor career 6 years ago with Iowa Realty. After 16 years as an IT consultant he was looking for a change. Kevin began purchasing, fixing, and "flipping" houses. His enjoyment lead him to his Realtor License and he has been helping people buy and sell homes ever since!

Q. What are the benefits of buying or selling a home in the Adel area?A. It's a great town with a strong sense of community and a convenient commute. Adel is starting to catch up with the Des Moines area pricing- you get a little more square footage for the price. An excellent school district, most people discover this through research online or from people they know. I think most people are looking to experience a smaller community.

Q. What trends have you encountered?A. The buyers are a mix of age groups from younger, single people to empty nesters. Those who want to live in the country choose Adel for the convenience.

Q. Do you have any tips for our readers?A. Take advantage of the Tax Credit! Due to new legislation, there is an $8,000 or 10% tax credit for those who haven't owned a home in the last 3 years. This is set to expire in November so potential buyers need to get started on closing procedures. There is the possibility it will be extended but it is set to expire in November.

Mortgages are changing rapidly and home values are changing rapidly. It's important to have a knowledgeable agent. Adel is still a buyers market and the 1st time homebuyer tax credit helps when purchasing homes.

Q. What are the Top Three things that separate you from your competition?A. I put customers first and look out for their best interests. I try to be knowledgeable of trends, and I'm service oriented. I've received feedback to support these skills and clients know I honor my commitments.

Q. Are you a member of the Local and National Board of Realtors?A. Yes. There is a Code of Conduct that overlooks how we conduct our business. People can be assured of my knowledge level and that I look out for my clients' best interests.

Q. Do you have any professional designations and have you won any awards?A. I am licensed by the state of Iowa. My designations include Graduate of Realtor Institute or GRI. Less than 10% of realtors have this.

I am also a Certified Residential Specialist. There is quite a bit of continuing education required for both, about 36 hours.

WHO Radio's Van and Bonnie Show held a contest for Best Realtor in Iowa. It was a 2-stage contest.

First, people nominated agents and the Top Ten were chosen. People then voted and I won. It was a great experience!

Q. Are you involved with any community groups?A. I have been involved in the past; I currently spend most of my time volunteering with the First Christian Church in Adel. I was also involved with the Bras for a Cause event recently and the National and Iowa Heritage Foundation.

Q. Anything new and exciting coming up for your business?A. I'm excited about the new website that will be available soon, www.kevinhowe.com. The website will make buyers able to research available real estate and new listings. Sellers will be able to register to receive analysis of their home. There will also be community information and tips for buyers and sellers.

I am currently focusing on 4 different neighborhoods in Adel, the River Valley Golf Course, Evans View South Park, Parkview Heights, and the acreage, Prairie Stream, which is southwest of Adel.

Q. Anything thing else you'd like our readers to know?A. I am the member of a great team with great agents in Adel and Waukee with my partner Julianna Cullen.

I really enjoy what I do. I like to think that my job is to help people get what they want. It's very satisfying to help people accomplish their goals. That can't be taken for granted.

To find out more about about Kevin, visit his website: www.kevinhowe.com or call (515) 453-5860.

To find out more about Atherton House, please visit Miriam and David at 202 S 9th Street in Adel or call 515-993-2034.

19th Annual Adel Home Tour

Mark Your Calendars! The holidays are coming closer day by day. Adel is in preparations for the many traditions that showcase the creativity of our local residents, businesses and organizations.

To get ready for the celebrations, Jan Price of the Adel Historical Museum discusses the Adel Holiday Home Tour, a holiday tradition spanning 19 years!

The Adel Holiday Home Tour was begun in 1989 by the organization, "Adel Concerned Citizens Committee" to support beautification, historic preservation and restoration in the community. With the proceeds from the tour, they developed Memory Lane and restored the gazebo shelter in the park.

In the beginning historical homes were selected, but as the years passed many different types of homes were chosen for the tours. Sometimes a homeowner will call to offer their home for the tour, other times the tour committee will call various homeowners to see if they are interested in having their home showcased.

Awareness of Adel's many charming features has greatly increased over the past 19 years, as has an appreciation for our community.

2009 is the 19th year of the Adel Holiday Home Tour and the third year that it has been sponsored by the Adel Historical Museum. This year's tour will be held on December 6 from 1:00 to 4:00.

The featured room this year at the museum is the Children's Room on the second floor. The country school collection of pictures and memorabilia has many new additions. There are children's toys as well as doll quilts which show the development of textiles and quilt types made over the years.

Persons touring the homes will be able to see the decorating styles, Christmas themes and individual collections of the homeowners. The homeowners will be available to answer questions about their home or collections. The tour organizers ask that those touring be over 8 years old, except for babes in arms.

Tickets can be purchased before the day of the tour at the following businesses: Adel Quilting and Dry Goods, Atherton House, Cameo Rose and Garden Gate Antiques. On the day of the tour they will be sold at the Adel Historical Museum from 11:00 to 3:00.

Adel Public Library News

Teen Cooking: Tuesday, November 17th @ 4:00 p.m.Learn how to cook using only the microwave! Learn these easy recipes in time to show off for your family at Thanksgiving. Plus, eat everything you make. Open to grades 6-12. Must sign-up at the desk by Nov. 16th.

Kids Movie: Wednesday, November 25th @ 1:00 p.m.A kids movie will be shown in the community room.

Library ClosedThe library will be closed on the following days: · November 11th - Veterans Day · November 26th & 27th - Thanksgiving

For further information about any of these programs please contact the library at 515-993-3512 or by email at laura@adelpl.org

11:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, November 26th, at the ADM High School South Commons. Come and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner "with all the trimmings."Open to the public with Home delivery available in Adel after 12:30 for elderly and handicapped (Limited to 4 dinners).

No reservations required!

For more information or to arrange delivery, call Shirley at 515-993-4481 or call Ellen at 515-993-3549.Donations are accepted, but not expected.

Keith Soffa, President of the Adel Lions Club, recently presented an additional $2500.00 contribution to Adel Partners Community Stage project.

This brings the total Lion's Club stage contribution to $10,000, giving the club the honor of largest single project donor to date. With this, and other recent donations, Phase II of the Adel Stage and Pavilion project is nearing completion.

The interior lighting and electrical work have been completed and the ceiling will be finished as soon as the weather allows.

Thank you to the Adel Lions' Club for your generous support of a great community project!

There is still much to do. If you'd like to contribute to Phase III, please contact the Adel Partners office at 515-993-5472.

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Holiday Open House Reminder

The weather is getting chilly so it must be time to start planning for the 15th Annual Adel Holiday Open House on Friday Dec. 4th.

It's a great time to visit Adel's businesses, sample and collect recipes, see Santa and enjoy the decorations and parade.

Please mark your calendar, we look forward to "Ringing in the Holidays" with everyone!

Lori Brocka, President - Adel Partners

Recipe of the Month

Dougherty Turkey Dressing

My Gram was born in the early 1900's in Dougherty, Iowa. It's a small, mostly Irish community of 80 in northern Iowa.

There are several stories as to where the recipe originated. She wasn't one for sticking to a recipe, they were more like outlines. To get one of her recipes right, you had to have cooked it with her.

As kids we called it, "stuffing", only to be gently corrected that it was "dressing" since it didn't cook in the bird.

It's a very versatile dish that my Mom bakes throughout the year as a meal.

My eldest has created her own version of it, my Gram would be proud, and it's an often requested dish at family gatherings.